Plan now to attend the Indian Lake Winter Fest

INDIAN LAKE Mark your calendars. The Indian Lake Annual Winter Festival is right around the corner and this years schedule is packed with winter fun and frolic. The festival is slated for the weekend of Feb. 15-17. Throughout the weekend, visitors and residents are invited to take part in dozens of activities. Festival events will begin on Friday, Feb. 15, with ice hockey games at the towns regulation-size skating rink. A kids game is slated to begin at 6 p.m., and an adult league game at 7 p.m. The towns (free) ski tow will be open throughout the festival weekend, with ski and snowboard races pending a final schedule announcement. For kids of all ages, Toukie the Clown will be on hand Saturday to delight everyone with her unique blend of humor, clown antics, and magic. A book sale, sponsored by the Indian Lake Friends of the Library, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Town Hall. The Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce will also be hosting a craft fair during the day. The Indian/Blue Mountain Lake Fish & Game Association will host a snowshoe trip to Beaver Meadow on Puffer Pond Trail, starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The 2.2-mile guided round trip is free to anyone interested. At 7 p.m. on Saturday, the much-anticipated Tricky Tray (Chinese Auction) will be held at the Indian Lake Central School gym, sponsored by the ILCS Class of 2009. In honor of Indian Lakes upcoming Sesquicentennial celebration during the summer and fall of 2008, the town will pay tribute to a tradition started 50 years ago by announcing a Beard and Mustache Growing Contest. The official kick-off announcement will occur during the Tricky Tray auction, including contest guidelines, rules, and entry categories for the judging event scheduled for August. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, a home-style eggs and pancake breakfast will be served for a nominal fee at the Indian Lake fire hall from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. In addition, on Saturday evening, the United Methodist Church will hold its annual Roast Beef Dinner. Winterfest celebrations will conclude on Sunday evening at the ski tow, with a lighted torch run, community bonfire, and fireworks display. The fireworks display, sponsored by the Town of Indian Lake, is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. Other 2008 winter events include an ice fishing derby on February 9, sponsored by the Indian Lake Fish & Game Club. With the derby in its fourth year, the club encourages those interested to register early for the popular event, as space is limited. On Saturday, March 15, Irish Road Bowling will once again come to Indian Lake. Teams of four will compete for fun in honor of this traditional Irish sport, which has enjoyed increasing popularity in the United States. For more information, including a complete listing of events and schedules, contact the Indian Lake Events and Activities Department at (518) 648-5828.